The Thinking Traveller

Corinth was a central city of the Greek world, influential in shipbuilding, colonisation and pottery production, and later in architecture, politics and early Christianity. Today we are joined by Dr Amelia Brown – an archaeologist, historian and Hellenist. In this conversation, Amelia moves beyond the familiar comparisons with Athens to reveal a city whose character was forged through trade, travel and cultural encounter. Amelia is the author of 'Corinth in Late Antiquity: A Greek, Roman and ...

Marg Horwell is one of Australia’s most acclaimed costume designers, whose work spans opera, theatre and large-scale international productions. Her work on The Picture of Dorian Gray – which toured the West End and Broadway – earned both an Olivier Award and a Tony Award, marking a rare double recognition across the UK and US stages. Marg’s designs currently feature across two Academy Travel programs: New York Theatre April 2026 with Giant starring John Lithgow as Roald Dahl, and Sydney Theat...

Linking the Far East with the Mediterranean world, the Silk Road became history’s most influential crossroads, shaping civilisations through trade, diplomacy and cultural encounter. From the imperial courts of China to the bustling markets of Rome, artistic, religious and cultural currents travelled these pathways – silk and spices, of course, but also ideas, technologies and beliefs. In this episode, we are joined by accomplished author, lecturer and cultural specialist Chris Aslan. Drawing ...

A Queen who dared to rule as King, Hatshepsut rose from Royal Consort to become one of Egypt’s most successful and innovative Pharaohs. Ruling Egypt in the 15th century BCE, she defied expectations by assuming full Kingship – adopting the regalia, titles and divine authority traditionally reserved for men. Her reign was marked by political stability, flourishing trade and monumental architectural achievements, most notably her majestic mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. Yet, after her death, H...

Elegant and imperial yet vibrantly modern, Vienna is a city where, like the beloved Danube itself, history and creativity flow together. For over four centuries, Vienna was the heart of the Habsburg Empire – a mecca for musicians, artists, architects and intellectuals. Today, its grand palaces, museums and concert halls still captivate, while the legacy of composers such as Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert continue to shape the city’s rich musical and cultural identity. In this episode, art his...

2025 marks the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War II. A year that reshaped the world and transformed Australia, 1945 was a tumultuous time that witnessed fierce fighting, celebrations of peace and the beginnings of a new world order. While the big three allies – Britain, America and the Soviet Union – would go on to challenge each other for supremacy in the post-war world, Australia emerged from the global conflict as a modernised but more complicated society, with altered attitudes tow...

Archaeologists have recently uncovered the ruins of an octagonal Armenian church dating back 1,700 years – making it one of the oldest such surviving monuments in the world. The church is located in Artaxata, once the site of a major commercial city that was the Kingdom of Armenia’s capital until the early 2nd century. In this episode we are joined by Dr Mathew Dal Santo as he takes us on a journey through the layers of Armenia’s history, and uncovers more of this exciting discovery. Matthew ...

Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most significant architects of the 20th century, and his career is deeply connected to that of Marion Mahony Griffin. A woman ahead of her time, Marion was one of the first licensed female architects in the world and was also Wright’s first employee. With a career spanning 50 years, she contributed as a designer to the development of the Prairie School which revolutionised American architecture, and to the dissemination of its ideas through her beautiful drawi...

A tiny speck in the Pacific, Norfolk Island has a fascinating past and occupies a unique position in the history of European settlement in Australia. It is home to a turbulent and varied history, with new archaeological findings about the Island's first inhabitants through to the infamous Bounty mutineers and the relocated Pitcairners, the harsh penal settlement, the Island's Melanesian missionary society and also the vital role it played in the liberation of the Pacific in WWII. In this ep...

Hilary Mantel’s extraordinary Wolf Hall Trilogy ignited popular interest in the turbulent Tudor period of British history. Coupled with the BBC production of the first two novels, the highlighting of Thomas Cromwell’s rise and fall has brought a new understanding to the political upheavals that occurred during the eventful reign of Henry VIII. With an adaptation of Mantel’s third book in the trilogy 'The Mirror & The Light' currently underway, we are joined by Dr Lauren Mackay. Lauren is...

In the lead up to the National Gallery of Victoria’s new landmark exhibition Pharaoh, we are joined on our podcast by popular UK-based Egyptologist Lucia Gahlin. Ancient Egypt has been at the forefront of Australia’s cultural life during 2024, with three block-buster exhibitions visiting Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne – each with a different focus and unique artefacts. Undoubtedly, Pharaonic Egypt is an era of history that continues to fascinate and enthral. In this episode, Lucia gui...

Flanked by the towering Andes to the east and the wild Pacific Ocean to the west, the impossibly dry Atacama Desert is the spectacular result of this unique geography. Despite its aridity, the Atacama region was first occupied by humans over 10,000 years ago and this hyper arid environment has subsequently allowed for the preservation of materials that most archaeologists can only dream of. In this episode we are joined by Dr Chris Carter to discuss what can be found in the region, fro...